Automatic and semi-automatic key-lever actuator.



H. T. GUTHRIE. AUTom/m AND sEM1-AUToMAT1c KEY LEVER AGTuAToR.

APPLHATION FILED FEB. 29. |916.

1i ,SQL Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

4 SHEETSMSHEET l.

H. T. GUTHRIE. AUTOMATIC AND 5ml-AUTOMATIC KEY LEVER ACTU/NOR.

APPLICATION man FEB. 29. wie.

Patented Nom, 1916.

4 sHEUswsHEET 2.`

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H. T. GUTHRIE.

AUTOMATIC AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC KEY LEVER ACTUATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 29. I9I5. L. mem@ Nw. 28, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3l I' I I! I AUTOMATiC AND SEMI-UTOMATIC KEY LEVER ACTUATOR.

APPLfcATxoN FILED FEB. 29. 1916.

Patented Nov. 28, 19m.-

4 sHEEs-SHEET 4.

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.LUTGMATIC AND SEMI-AUTOIATXC KEY-LEVER CTTGE.

Application le February 29, wie.

To all fw hom it may concern:

lie it known that l, Herinner T. Gtvrrrnmg residing at;

Automatic lKey-Lever Actuators, fully -de-v.

scribed and represented in the following specilication and the accompanying draw ings, forming a part of the same. 'T he object of this invention is to provide means for applying power to secure automatic and semi-automatic operation of keylevcrs and other movable parts, and to use essentially the same mechanism for both automatic and semi-automatic functions.

ln using the parte which ncomprise the semi-automatic featureof the invention, a manually started operation of the hey-levers is completed by mechanism connected to the motive 4power which actuates the automatic mechanism. y

The present invention is particularly designed. to be used in combination with typewriters, but it While recognizing that neither automatic typewriters [Der se nor semi-automatic typewriters yle/l" Se are new, l present herein novel automatic and semi-automatic devices, and particularly claim originalityY in the idea of eilecting automatic and semi-'automatic operationin one machine. Moreover, l eiiect this novel automatic and semi-automatic operation bv a simple and inexpensive construction in' which the principal operative members economically perform a double function, inasmuch as they are utilized both in the automatic and semi-automaticA operation et' the sainemachine.

My mechanism is adapted tor combined automatic and semi-automatic operation of tyl'iewriting machines, as shown in the accompanyingV drawing, and in this conjunction will permit the saine machine to be used either for automatic repetition of such matter as circular letters, Sie., or tor scalled light-touch7 operation in which the perator touches the typewriter keys lightly and the power-driven mechanism completes the stroke of the key-levers and their connected parts.

iloivei i. "un automatic machinist are Specification of Eettcrs Patent.

and State of New new and use y is not limited to such ma-u chines, and may be used with any other niachine to which it may be adapted.

. Seal lio. Malik?.

' 4 nowv well'Y known in the art, such devices being' usually constructed with an' independent frame upon which a typewriter can be ira-tenten new. ce, aerei l vset and? the' key levers 'connected by', suitable f rods wlththeautomatic devices.v

, llhe 'advantages of using automatic Iliaclnnes for the repetition. of typed mat-ter are well recognized at the present time, but such automatic machines have not heretoforev contained means for operating by Lligilt-touch, 'and l am' not aware of any light-touch machine which is now in use.

The laborfsaving and eliiciency qualities of a power-driven light-touchf'typewriter y are obvious, as an unskilled typist can produce 'as evenly0 printed matter as the most skilled operator; and in addition less energy is expended in operating such a typewriter, so that greater s eedis attainable, and the operator does nov tire so quickly as with an ordinary typewriter, and can therefore work more accurately.

rlhe devices presented herein combine in one machine the advantageous automatic and semiautomatic features enumerate above, to produce which would heretofore have required two separate machines each costing about as machines described herein.

The mechanism described below is adapt-- ed for automatically operating the lrey-levers of a typewriter under the control of a perforated selector-sheet, and is also adapted 'for use with a light-touch ot the linger-keys, i. e., semi-autoniatically. ln this mechanism, 'the power-driven actuator which, in the automatic operation otl the machine operatcs each key-lever under the control of the automatic selector, is also adapted to operate each key-lever underthe control of the linger-key by a partial depression of' the same. A

The invention may be embodied in diverse mechanisms, several forms being shown in the annexed drawing. In all of theseforms the connections to the key-levers of the machines to be operated are so arranged that when the finger-keys are partially depressed by hand, a rocker-lever which. is also connected with Athe key-lever, is caused to engage the actuator, which then moves it to complete 'l".e use ot such a connection permits a very ich on the part of the operator when rating the keys manually. and, the keymuch as the combination I the movement of the key-lever.v

lever connection is normally detached from the actuator. or else so constructed that it..

with the combined automatic and Semi-A automatic mechanism may also be operated in the ordinary manual manner when desired.

The operation of these devices willbe understood by reference tothe annexed drawing, in which` Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a combined automatic and `semi-automatic device provided with two grooved rolls for advancing two selectorfsheets, by which the i machine can automatically write circulars or letters under the control of one of the rolls and print inserts, such as different names and addresses, upon the successive circulars under the control of the other roll. Fig. l*l shows the use of a wedge to retract a pin from a groved ro-ll.' Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan of the device shown in Fig. l.; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the connection .between the slides, the rocker-levers and actuator; and Fig. .fl shows one end of the actuator-head in front view, with several of the actuating dogs hinged thereon. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of a combined automatic and semi-automatic mechanism operated by one grooved roll and se# lector-sheet; and Fig.'6 is an elevation of the 'saine device viewed in the opposite direction, showing means for adjusting the semi-automatic mechanism into and out of its operative position. Figs. 7, 8 and S) are diagrams illustrating a modification of the connection between the key-lever and the rocker-lever which is shown in 5, Fig. 7 being a side elevation of one of the rocker-levers and its connection tothe key-lever; Fig. S an end elevation of the same parts; and F ig. S) a plan of the same. Fig. l0 is an edge view of the rocker-lever G and the link l shown in F 1g. l. Fig. ll shows the rocker-lever engaged, and swung far enough b v the actuator wholly to depress the key-lever con# nected with the rocker-lever; and Fig. l2 shows a cross-section of the lever g at the Icenter of the connecting-rod in Fig. 7.

ln Figs. l and 2, a mechanism having two grooved rolls over each of which a perfo rated selector-sheet feeds, is provided with independent rocker-levers adapted to engage a constantly moving actuator, each rockerlever having a connection with a separate l' key-lever.

Slides are provided, with their ends adjacent to the rocker-levers and having sufcient lengthwise movement to cause the engagement of the rocker-lever with the actu ator, each slide having` a pin adapted to drop through the perforations in a selector-sheet Leccese and to engage one or the other ofthe grooved rolls and to be moved thereby, thus causing theslide to move lengthwise and tip the rocker-lever toward the actuator.

When tipped, the rocker-lever is engaged by the actuator upon its downward movement, and is thereupon moved sufficiently by the actuator to produce the-'entire movement required of the connected 'key-lever.

In Figs. 1 and 2, A designates one of the side-frames of the device, between which are extended roll-shafts B, B', an .eccentricshaft C and a power-shaft D which is driven -by any suitable means. The shafts B and B rotate the grooved rolls E and E continuously in the direction of the arrows, such rolls carrying the perforated selectorsheets F and F', which .are fed by them. The shaft D is connected by clutches S, S', with the roll-shafts B and B', and clutchlevers T, Tf are shown to actuate the clutches. 4

As ,only one of the rolls is used; at a time, means controlled by each selector-sheet is, in practice, provided in connection with the clutch-levers T, T', to shift each roll into and out of operation. vThis allows the rolls to be broughtinto operation alternately, as is required in printing a letter and automatically making inserts therein. Such means for automatically shifting the clutches is not shown herein, as it is a common'mechanical expedient and forms no part of the present invention.

A rocker-lever G is located under the forward end of each key-lever H and con nected thereto by a link I having a slip-joint withI the rocker-lever, as indicated in Fig. l0. Each rocker-lever is made in the form of a plate fulcrumed upon a universal rod J, and has a notch Gf in its lower edge in which the rod I is hooked by a loop I', as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

An actuator is mounted adjacent to the forward ends of the rocker-levers, being ope-rated from the shaft D by an eccentricshaft C 'which is connected by link and arm to a rock-shaft C which carries theao tuator. AShafts C and D are connected bv shaft D3 and gears C4 and D4.

Arms C2 extend from the rock-shaft to carry a cross-head C3 extended transverselv of the machine before all of the rocker-levers G and carrying a spring-dog c4 for each of said levers; which dogs actuate'the rocker-- levers when said levers are tipped toward them. The spring-dogs c4 are pivoted upon the head C3 and held each tion by a spring c5. n

Theforward corner of the rockerdever G when tipped upon its fulcrum, traverses the curved dotted line .r of Fig. il, and when the actuator oscillates upon its fulcrum C, its dogs traverse the curve a", so that a forin working posi- I is provided at roll, after the pin causes the slide L .ward tipping of the rocker-lever enables the dog to engage it. The dogs c4 oscillate constantly upon the curve ai', causing the dog, when said lever is tipped, to engage the upper front cor ner of the rocker-lever and carry it down ward, as shown in Fig. l1, to complete the movement desired for the -key-lever H The springs c upon the dogs are provided to permit their yielding-if the rocker-lever G is tipped forward when the dog happens to be directly oppositel it. .As soon as the dog has cleared the rockerflever after 'any collision ot' these parts, the spring c5 forces the dog back into operative position, enabling the dog to engage and depress the rockerlever, as shown in Fig. l1, upon the next' downward movement of the dog.

rEhe rocker-levers, after each actuation, are restored to their initial position bytheir connection to the key-lever which is in practice held normally raised.

rlhe tipping of each rocker-'lever is efected automatically by either of tivo slides L or L which are guided in combs M or M, and abut aty their forward ends against the edge of the rocker-lever G. Each slide its rear end with a vertically movable pin c` to coperate with the grooved rollvl or E, and with a spring L2 whichY tends to hold the slide in its rear position and retracts it after it has been moved forward.

The` pins c normallyT rest uponthe unper forated part of the selector-sheets F and F which feed over the grooved rolls E and E.

When aperforationcomes under one of the pins the pin drops through it into a groove in the associated roll, whereupon said pin is moved forward by the roll and causes a lengthwise movement of slide L or L Which carries Asaid pin.

The pin c may be formed With a shoulder which limits the distance the pin can drop, and after it has entered the groove in the revolving roll the curved surface of the roll causes the Withdrawal of thepin from the has pushed the slide a sufficient distance tojengage the rockerl'ever with `the actuator. 1 y A positive means of retracting the pin from the groove in the roll is shown in Fig. l?, where the pin is provided with a head c resting upon a wedge e2 sustained upon the comb M, the wedge operating duringr the forward movement oi"- the slide to pull the ,pin positively lout of the groove inthe roll.

Which ever roll is in operation, the dropping'of the pin through a perforation in the selector-sheet into a groove of-that roll or. L', carrying such' pin, to"'be moved forward against `the -associated rockerdever G and tip such rocker-lever into engagement with the actuator, thus' v causfurther movement lightv touch on vwill be later ing the automatic depression of the connected key-lever.

The grooved roll, perforated selector-sheet and pins resting upon suc-h sheet and adapted to engage with the roll through the perforations in the sheet and to be moved thereby, comprise a selector-mechanism b v whose operation'a rocker-lever G may shifted. into engagementgwith the actuator by diverse means `with-in the-,scope .of this invention.`

The slides L and L,

or any longitudinally movable members, thus furnish transmitters .to convey selective impulses from a plurality of selector mechanisms tov a rocker-lever G in order to engage it with c4 and thereby produce the automatic depression of the key-lever H. A

lThe mechanism so far Vdescribed is designed or operating the key-levers H automatically, but have combined with this mechanism a very simple element Which the actuator dog gives the typewriter a semi-automatic (or light-touch) operation-z that is, a slight' manual depression to engage the rocker-levers with the actuator and induce the remaining depression of the lkey-levers automatically. This is elected by a wedge N, shown in Figs. l and 3, which may be arranged to press upon a `.pin N on either of the slides related to a single'rockeri lever, as the movement of either slide would tip such lever in Wedge is shown with a' tapering lower Vend to push the slide toward the rocker-lever when the key-lever is slightly. depressed, and with a parallel body above such wedge-portion which, when the key-lever is further depressed by the actuator, moves smoothly by the side of the pin Without producing any thereof. The wedge is shown touching the comb M which prevents its moving backward `It is connected to the' linger-lever by a rod'rA so as to convey a slight movement of the linger-keys to the rocker-lever G. The wedge when moved, operates to move the slide against the rocker-lever G and tip it, thus causing its engagement'with the actuator, and permitting the use of the machine manually4 with a very the part of the operator. When the wedge semi-automatic mechanism is in use, an imperforate portion of the selector-sheet is placed on the rolls under the pineto prevent the pins from engaging vvit the rolls, and th'e rotation of the rolls is also arrested.

p The wedge for edevcting a semi-automatic i operation` of the key-levers may obviouslybe used with the same effect 'in combination with' other automatic mechanism than that already described, andlrhave therefore in Fig.' 7 shown it in a` different device, which described herein.

the desired manner. The

of the-finger-keys serves lt is apparentthat the device constructed with two rolls, as shown in Figs. l and 2,

aiiords great advantage in the use of a typeferent addresses successively.

The sheet or perforated cards containing the addresses can be preserved for repeated use in circularizing or writing the same persons. Although these advantages attach to the use of 'two grooved rolls, a device embodying my invention is shown constructed with one grocved roll.

Figs. 5 and 6 show such a mechanism, adapted to operate both automatically and semi-automatically with a single selector sheet.

a designates one of the side-frames of this device between which are extended a rollshaft b, an eccentric-shaft c and a rock-shaft do The shaft b `rotates the grooved roll b continuously, upon which the selector-sheet b2 is fed. The shaft c is driven by any suitable means and is connected by gearing c2, c7 and ca with the eccentric-shaft c and rollshaft b, as shown in Fig. 6. l

The rocker-levers g in vthis construction take the place of the slides and rockerlevers of they construction previously described, these rocker-levers y extending from the grooved roll directly to a link or rod 71 depending from the key-lever, and such rod having a loose hook or detachable commetion with the forward lever g.

The rear end of the lever g extends over the grooved roll and has a pin c fitted movably in the lever so as to drop into the grooves of the roll when permitted.

' The rocker-levers are constructed to rock or oscillate upona fulcrum-rod g2', which extends across the frame of thedevice, and each rocker-lever has a slot tted movably to the fulcrum-rod so that the rocker-lever can make a sufficient forward movement to engage an actuator constantlyY `moving to and fro and adapted to tilt the rockerdeverstx The actuator consists of e head Z2 conend of the rockerynected by arms CZ with a rockshaft d.

An eccentric c upon the shaftc moves the head Z2 to and fro asirequired. rlfhe head carries a series of spring-dogs f one for each ofthe rocker-levers or members g.

, lEach of these rocker-levers has a notch adjacent tothe springsdcg, and a shoulder' g at the-rear end of such notch which' normally clears the dog lout is adapted to engage the same when the rocker-lever is moved slightly endwise inthe direction of the arrow m2 in Fig. 5.

Each dog is held in its operative position 4by a spring f2, such spring the slot. A spring n is attachedto dog to yield if the lever g is moved endwis while the dog is raised into the notch f;4 and such spring forcing the dog out again into its working position as soon as the dog is withdrawn from the notch, and thus enabling the 'dog to effect an immediate engagement with the rocker-lever, as shown in Fig. 6, upon the next upward movement of the dog.

ln the automatic operation' of this de vice the selector-sheet b2k upon the grooved roll permits the selected pin to drop permitting the through a perforation into the grooves of "l the roll, which immediately pushes the rocker-lever' g forward or lengthwise sullciently to engage the spring-dog f. Upon such engagement the dog or actuator pushes the rear end ofthe lever g upward, as shown in Fig. 6, which pulls the front enddownward and depresses the connected key-lever as required. Y

As shown in Fig. 12, the rod z' has an upwardly bent hook at its lower end engaging a downwardly bent hook j upon the front end of the rocker-lever y. This hooked connection of the link of the keylever rod i forms a normally detachable connection from the keylever to the rockerlever, enabling a complete manual operation the lever g or the power mechanism. ,To effect semi-automatic operation with Athis device, levers Z and Z,- Figs. 5 and 6, are mounted over each of the rocker-levers g to produce a manual movement of e. The levers Z and Z versal rods Z2, the machine and are attached to the frame. lThe levers Zl and Z' are joined together at Z3, and the forward end of the lever Z the key-lever z' is depressed, engaged by a spring latch lc upon a rod Ic" joined to the key-lever at k2. The rear end of the lever Z is formed with a slot m, and the pin e is extended upward fromv the rocker-lever through the said slot and formed with a head to rest upon the lever Z at the sides of a suitable extension from the frame and tends to hold the rear end of the lever Z. lowered and the rear end of the lever Z raised, which operates to hold the pins clear of the grooved roll when semisautomatic o. eration is desired, the selector-sheet being 'then removed from the roll. A stop-bar Z4 is extended below the lever-joints Z5, asl shown in section in Fig. 5 and in dotted lines, in Fig. 6, to limit the' downward movement of such lever-joints.

A slight manual depression or the fingerkey moves the front end of the lever YZ downward by means of the latch 7c, thus the constantly revolving roll b. This inis, when ico the connected rockenlever g, which results Lacasse stantly produces la forward movement oli in its actuation ley the adjacent spring-dog and the immediate movement of the roch:- er-lever to depress the key-lever hf.. rlhe slot m in the lever Z is made sufficiently long to provide :tor the requisite forward movement of the pin during its engagement with the roll. The levers Z 'and' Z are Placed far enough above the roclreilever g to allow the requiredupjward movement oit the latter.

l/Vhen any .of the key-levers is pulled downwardly hy the hook 7' upon the head oit the rockerflever, an interference ofthe latch :hand the lever Z would :result if provision were not made, for the latch to clear the lever Z at such time. Such clearance is effected by extending the lovver end orf' the rod 1A through erguido-socket csin the forward .end oi'. .the lever g, which socket operates,

when the lever g pushed forward lto engage 'with the spring-dog f, to move the latch .c out off line with the lever Z, as shown in yFig; 6. This permits the rod' it" and latch lf:

to make ainuch greater movement downward (in completing theAmoveine-nt of the key-lever)A than the lever Z is constructed to make, as that lever is intended to drop the pin e only a fraction of an .inch to enter the grooves in the roll bf, ln the simultaneous return of the lreydever and rocker-lever g to their normal positions, (whichfis'effected by the key-lever spring present in all typewriters), the'rod 1 rises with the key-lever, causing the spring-latch Z to yield laterally in passing the end of the lever Z, thus placing it in position. to rengage such lever Whenever its connected nger-lever is depressed. The downward movement of the pin c to engage the lroll of is very slight,and a corresponding,l slight manual movement of the ngenkey is all that is necessary to move A the latch 7c suilciently to produce such move ment, ol the pin, the remaining movement of the linger-key being automatically produced without any ellort on the part of the opera- 'One oie-fthe springs is applied to each of the levers Z, and the holder g? can be moved to press. the springs toward or frointhe levers Z, by a handle p', a rod Q, and suitable conn ynections 'to an arm g upon theholder. i stopv p2 is ,provided near the handle p to secure the holder 1n either of its adjusted po- -ri-sitions. (See Fig. 6.)

Ward to the latch 7c.

The springs 0 are made o* sui'i'icient strength wholly to overcome the action oli the springs aand are thus able to hold the rear ends of thev levers Z downward, as shown in Fig. 5'., when operating,` the device automatically. The pins then` rest normally upon the selector-sheet, and the apparatus is adjusted for Wholly automatic operation; when they are raised by levers, Z, Z the au tomatic action is suspended. W hen the springs o are retracted the springI n draws the joint of the levers Z, Z downward into Contact with the seat Z4 below their joint, thus lifting thev front end of the lever Z upv rl`he parts are thus placed in position. to he operated by the manual depression oil the key-lever. The Wedge may also he applied to the device having the single grooved roll, instead .of the levers Z., Z; to e'liect a semi-automatic use oli guide upon the comb lll and its sloping edge fitted against a pin s upon the head of the rockenlever g. rEhe eect of the Wedge is to shift the rocker-lever g into engagement with the moving dog j, and thus secure the completion or' the key-lever stroke as de sired. lllhen the 'wedge semi automatic mechanism is in' use, an imperiforate portion of the selector-sheet is pla cedunder the pins to prevent their engagement with Vthe grooved roll and the rotation of the roll is also arrested. l

It Will he observed that the terni detach able connection has been applied to the rod e' or l hy which the rocker-lever is connected 'trated in the Wedge Well as in the levers,

and it will lbe readily seen that the Wedge au plied to the rocker-lever g in Fig. 7 performs the same function in manually' engaging the rocker-lever with the actuator, as is effected hy the levers Z, Z, in their operation upon the pin c; and hotli of these mechanisms form auxiliary detachable connections hetveen the key-levers and the rocker-lever, by Wliicli the key-levers can initiate the movement of the rocker-levers, hut which connections are not themselves affected hy the subsequent more ment of rocker-levers when engaged with the actuator; and either 'of suchk auxiliary' connections may he used in conjunction with diveise automatic mechanisms,

' cations, `carts of the mechanism above de` scribed, which are believed to be novel and patentable,I are not claimed specifically herein, butthe right to claim those parts in anotherfapplication is not waived.

Having thus set forth the 'natu-re of the invention what .is claimed herein is:

l. A typewriter operator comprising keyievers, a power actuator therefor, operative connections adaptedto be selectively inter-l posed between said key-levers and actuator,-

' levers with said power-driven means.

3. In a typewriter operator, the combination, with levers and other' parts to be moved, of finger-keys operatively connected with said levers and other movable parts, a powerdriven mechanism' to operate said leve-rs and other parts including` a power-driven actuator and connections from the same to each key-lever including a rocker-lever, automatic mechanism for selectively engaging such connections with the power-driven actuator, and means for connecting the actuator through the rocker-levers with said levers upon manual depression of said iinger keys.

4. In mechanism for operating key-levers ari other movable parts, the combination, with a. power-driven groovfd roll and a selector sheet extended over the same, of rocker-levers having connections to the parts to be operated, an actuator 'for moving the rocker-levers when engaged therewith, a. slide arranged to move lengthwise and tip the rocker-lever associated therewith, each slide having a pin adapted to engage the grooved roil to shift the slideI lengthwise, springs to retract the said slides, and separate means for shitting the slide to connect the actuator through the rocker-levers with key-levers selected and manually depressed l, by the operator.

In mechanism For automatically oper- `ating key-levers and other movable parts,

the combination, with a power driven selector mechanism coniprising a power driven grooved roll, a perforated selector sheet, and pins'resting upon thc impert'oiate portion of such sheet and adapted to drop through the pcrtorations in the sheet, to become engaged with and moved by the roll, ot' transmission members carrying said pins, eckerlevers arranged to be moved by the transmoei-sea missibn members, i links connecting the rocker-levers to the parts to be operated, and

a power driven actuator adapted to engagel and operate the said rocker-levers when moved by the transmission members.

6. In mechanism for operating key-levers and other movable parts, the combination, with a power driven groot/ed roll and a. selector sheet fed over the same, of mechanism for moving the parts to be operated, a slide for operating such mechanism and having a pin adapted to enter the grooves of the roll to actuate the said slide, and means for retracting the said pin from the grooves of the roil when the slide is thus shifted.

7. In mechanism for operating key-levers and other movable parts, the combination, with a power driven grooved roll and a selector sheet fed over the same, of rocker-levers having connections to the parts to be opera-ted, an actuator for moving-the rockerlevers when engaged therewith, and a slide arranged to move icngthwise and tip the rocker-lever associated therewith, each slide having a pin adapted to engage the grooved roll and shift the slide lengthwise, and springs arranged to retract the said slides.

8. In 'mechanism for operating key-levers and other movable parts, thecombination, with two power driven grooved rolls and two selector sheets fed over the saine, of mechanism for moving the parts tobe operated, including rocker-levers, pairs of slides,

one extending fronreac'h ot said rolls to the same rocker-lever, each slide having a pin to engage a grooved roll and shlft the slide 'lengthwise thereby tipping the rocker-lever,

and aI power-driven actuator to engage and operate the rocker-lever when it has been so ti pped:

9. In a typewriter operator havingI key` levers held normally raised, the combination,

with two power-driven grooved lrolls and two selector sheets, of mechanism including a rocker-lever for moving each key-lever, two slidesextended respectively from the said grooved rolls to the same rocker-lever each slide having a pin adapted to engage' one of the grooved rolls, each of the pins when engaged with a roll operating to shift the associated slide lengthwise therebytipping the rocker-lever, a power-driven actuator arranged to engage the rocker-lever when tipped, and the connection fromthe rocker-lever to the key-lever operating to retract the rocker-lever when thus tipped.

l0. In mechanism for automatically operating key-levers, the combination, with a rocker-lever connected to each key-lever, and an actuator adapted to operate upon such rocker-levers, of 4two grooved rolls and selector-sheets located at different distances from the rocker-levers, a long slide extended Jfrom the farther roll to each of the rockerlevers, and a short slide extended from the nearer roll to each ofthe said rocker-levers, the said short slides being supported movably between the longer slides and both slides foreach rocker-lever being movable independently when engaged with their associated roll.

11. In mechanism' for operating key-le vers, -the combination, with a grooved roll and selector sheet, of a power-driven actuator, a rocker-lever connected to each keylever and adapted When tipped to engage and be moved by the said actuator, a. slide with pin to engage the grooved roll and adapted to m'ove lengthwisel and tip the rocker-lever, and means connected to each key-lever adapted to initiate a power-driven movement of the key-lever when the latter is slightly depressed manually.

12. In mechanism for operating key-levers, the combination, with rocker-levers connected with the key-levers, of an actuator to move such rocker-levers, members movable lengthwise and operating when thus moved to engage the rocker-levers with the actuator, a grooved roll and pins each adapted to engage said roll and move a corresponding member lengthwise and produce an automatic actuation of the key-levers, and a wedge connected with each keylever and operating upon its corresponding movable member to move the rocker-lever sufficiently to engage it withthe actuator and thus produce a semi-automatic operation of the key-levers.

13. In mechanism for operatmg key-le- 7 vers, the combination, with rocker-levers connected with the key-levers, of an actuator to move such rocker-levers, members movable lengthwise `and operating when 4 thus moved to engage the rocker-levers with the actuator, ai grooved, roll and pins each adapted to engage said roll and move a correspondingmember lengthwise and produce an automatic actuation of the key-levers, 4 and a wedge connected to move with the keylever and operating to give a lengthwise movement to the said member and cause it to' actuate 'the rocker-lever, thus effecting semi-automatic operation of the keylevers.

ll. In mechanism for automatically operating key-levers and other movable parts, the combination7 with a power-driven actuator, of a rockerflever adapted to engage the same, power-driven selector mechanism comprising a grooved roll, a perforated selector sheet, and pins supported upon the mperforate portion of the selector-sheet and adapted to drop through the perforations therein to enga-ge the roll, and transmission mechanism including a member confined to longitudinal movement and adapted to convey selective impulses from said selector mechanism to the rocker-lever and 6 thereby shift said lever into the path of said v actuator.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HERBERT T. GUTHRIE. 

